December 9, 2007
By JEFF ZELENY
DES MOINES, Dec. 8 — When she begins a typical show, seldom does Oprah Winfrey question the power of her brand or wonder aloud about the influence that accompanies her golden seal of approval.
But when Ms. Winfrey strode onto a stage here Saturday, imploring Iowa voters to support the presidential candidacy of Senator Barack Obama, she acknowledged not knowing whether her endorsement would matter. And as she waded into American politics like never before, she declared: “I feel like I’m out of my pew.”
Still, with three weeks before the presidential nominating contest begins here, Ms. Winfrey’s arrival on the campaign trail and her irrefutable appeal was threatening enough for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York to invite a famous guest of her own, Chelsea Clinton, who has waited in the wings for a moment like this.
It was, perhaps, the best way Mrs. Clinton could be assured attention on a political day devoted to Ms. Winfrey, who drew more than 15,000 people here and a second audience of about 7,000 in Cedar Rapids. In a state awash in presidential politics, with a competitive fight on both sides of the ticket, it was the largest spectacle of the campaign cycle.
“Oh my goodness,” Ms. Winfrey said. “At last, I’m here.”
The intersection of politics and celebrity began the moment that Mr. Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, declared, “It is my honor to introduce to you the first lady of television, Oprah Winfrey.” A wave of camera flashes illuminated a downtown convention center here as Ms. Winfrey entered to a thunderous roar.
Ms. Winfrey, of course, is hardly a stranger to speaking before large crowds. But as she explained her rationale for supporting Mr. Obama, of Illinois, she stood behind a lectern, reading from prepared remarks. She paused for a moment, saying: “Backstage, somebody said are you nervous? I said, damn right I’m nervous.”
But for 17 minutes, Ms. Winfrey delivered an emotional testimonial for Mr. Obama, arguing the nation was at a critical moment in its history that required a new direction, a new face, a new way. She did not mention Mrs. Clinton or any of their rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, but dismissed suggestions that voters should chose a candidate with the most Washington experience.
“If we continue to do the same things over and over again, I believe we get the same results,” Ms. Winfrey said. Later, she added: “When you listen to Barack Obama, when you really hear him, you witness a very rare thing, You witness a politician who has an ear for eloquence and a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth.”
In his quest to win the party’s nomination, and become the first black president, Mr. Obama is working to expand his reach beyond the traditional set of Democratic primary voters. The campaign is hoping to use Ms. Winfrey’s visit to Iowa on Saturday, followed by New Hampshire and South Carolina on Sunday, to expose his candidacy to a new audience of prospective supporters.
“I am not here to tell you what to think. I am here to ask you to think — seriously,” Ms. Winfrey said. “I’m not here for partisan beliefs. Over the years, I’ve voted for as many Republicans as I have Democrats. So this isn’t about partisanship for me.”
She ticked through a list of Mr. Obama’s accomplishments, from his days as a community organizer to a state senator to a United States senator. When she hailed his opposition to the war, “long before it was the popular thing to do,” the crowd responded with a roar of approval.
The Obama campaign captured the names and addresses of thousands of those who attended the rallies. Those who agreed to volunteer for at least four hours over the past two weeks received premium tickets.
“I think Oprah is John the Baptist, leading the way for Obama to win,” said Dale Cobb, 40, of Des Moines, who has never participated in the caucuses before. Yet, she added: “I’m still kind of in between Hillary and Obama.”
Cate Doty contributed reporting.
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